Calcutta University has decided to overhaul its postgraduate admission process by introducing entrance examinations for entry into its PG departments. The new system will bring an end to the long-standing practice of admitting students from affiliated colleges solely on the basis of undergraduate marks. The decision marks a significant shift in the university’s admission policy and is aimed at standardising the selection process across departments.
New PG Admission Process at Calcutta University
Under the existing system, a large share of postgraduate seats were allotted to students from colleges affiliated with Calcutta University based on their graduation scores. This practice will now be discontinued for most programmes. At present, 80 percent of PG seats are reserved for graduates of CU-affiliated colleges, who gain admission on the basis of merit. The remaining 20 percent of seats are filled through entrance examinations taken by students from other universities. With the revised policy, most postgraduate departments will assess all applicants through an admission test, regardless of whether they are graduates of CU-affiliated colleges or other universities.
Rationale Behind the Change
University officials indicated that several PG departments have expressed the need to screen applicants through entrance tests to ensure uniform academic standards. The move is expected to create a level playing field and enable departments to evaluate candidates beyond undergraduate marks alone. The change aligns Calcutta University with the admission practices followed by many central and state universities across the country.
Exemption for One-Year PG Programmes
While entrance tests will become the norm for most two-year postgraduate courses, the university has clarified that students graduating with a research background will not be required to appear for an admission test when applying for one-year PG programmes. This exemption has been introduced to recognise prior research exposure and academic training.
Impact on Students and Colleges
The revised admission framework will affect a large number of students from CU-affiliated colleges who previously relied on merit-based entry. Aspirants will now need to prepare for competitive entrance examinations to secure admission to postgraduate courses. The university is expected to issue detailed guidelines, including exam patterns, syllabus, and timelines, once the new admission process is formally implemented.
